Be Prepared - Earthquake Preparedness Guide . . . prepare a Disaster Supply Kit If a major quake hits, stores will likely be in complete disarray and not available for you to purchase these items. So, use this checklist as a shopping list now! Being prepared is the best way to take care of yourself, your home and your family in the event of any emergency, be it an earthquake, a major fire or a terrorist attack.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Disaster Supply Kit - Checklist

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FLASHLIGHTS & LANTERNS (BATTERY POWERED)
In virtually every major quake, electric power is either shut down or lost, sometimes for days. There are a wide variety of lights, lamps and lanterns that operate on battery power. Get several.

AM/FM RADIO and/or TELEVISION (BATTERY POWERED)
Be sure to set your AM radio to KNX 1070 to hear continuous emergency information. This will be your main source of information and news. From this you'll learn when to expect local assistance and how long you'll have to "go it alone."

EXTRA BATTERIES
Make sure you choose ALKALINE long life batteries. Have plenty of these on hand! We suggest at least one set already be installed in your flashlights and radios plus three replacement sets. We suggest that you replace these batteries at least once a year!

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
This is critical since fire departments will be busy rescuing people in collapsed structures as well as putting out major fires. Make sure you get ALL PURPOSE extinguishers (for use on gas, paper, wood and electrical fires.)

SMOKE DETECTORS (BATTERY POWERED)
This is your first line of defense against a fire getting out of hand. Combined with fire extinguishers, this can save home and life.

TOOLS
Make sure you have these tools available:

FIRST AID KITS
Though everyone should have the basics, medical needs should be tailored for each family. Most items are already included in commercially available first aid kits or you can purchase them individually. Here are the basics you should have on hand, enough for each person:

EXTRA PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES
If you or any household members are on prescriptions, make sure you put at least a one-week supply in your quake kit. Make sure you replace the prescription before it loses its potency or expires!

PRESCRIPTION GLASSES/CONTACTS
If possible, put an extra pair of glasses or contacts into your kit just in case your regulars are lost in the quake.

WHISTLE OR LOUD HORN
You'll need this to signal for help or assistance if you get hurt.

MATCHES (IN WATERPROOF CONTAINER)
In the event utilities are inoperable, you'll need matches to make fires for cooking. Waterproof matches can be purchased at sporting goods and hunting stores or you can simply put regular matches into a waterproof container. Make sure that all Gas lines have been shut-off before striking a match anywhere!

BEDDING
You'll need, at the very least, extra blankets and pillows if you end up sleeping outside. It's best to have a foldable cot, sleeping bag or tent ready for use.

CLOTHING
Put an extra change of clothes (or two) aside for each member of the family. They should be sturdy, outdoor type clothes, including an extra pair of shoes. Also include one set of rain gear per person.

DETAILED AREA MAP
Try to have a detailed area map available to assist rescue workers helping out in your area.

SANITATION SUPPLIES
Make sure you have the following on hand for the preservation of health and sanitation:

STOVE OR CHARCOAL GRILL
In the event utilities are inoperable, make sure you have either a portable gas stove (with extra gas cell) or charcoal grill (with extra 25 pound bag of charcoal) for cooking.

PLATES & UTENSILS
You'll need disposable sets of plates, cups and utensils. This will avoid water waste by eliminating dish washing. Have enough on hand for five days for each person.

INFORMATION (PAPERS AND GOODS)
Make sure you have a detailed inventory of personal property and documents that might be lost if your house collapses. This will be essential in recovering lost property. Consider video taping or taking photos of each room as proof of your losses. Store these lists and/or photos away from your home.

FOODS YOU'LL NEED

THE FOODS YOU STORE SHOULD HAVE:

YOU SHOULD SELECT FOODS THAT:

WHERE TO GET QUAKE FOOD
Most of these foods are readily available at the grocery store. However, many sporting goods, hunting and survival stores offer pre- packaged foods that are excellent for this purpose as well. They can be stored indefinitely without any special handling requirements. ONCE YOU BUY THEM, ONLY USE THEM WHEN NEEDED. DON'T RAID THE SUPPLY! IT'S NOT FOR SNACKING!

WATER
Buy gallons in plastic containers to prevent breakage. Store five gallons per person per day (a total of 25 gallons per person for five days). NOTE: By adding four to six drops of liquid bleach (e.g. Clorox) to each gallon, you will suitably purify questionable water.

BEVERAGES
Fruit or vegetable juices have a 3- to 12-month shelf life. Soft drinks have virtually unlimited shelf lives. Canned milk has limited shelf life listed on the can. Powdered milk or juices have unlimited shelf lives but require much water.

CANNED AND PREPARED FOODS
Buy foods that require no refrigeration and which, if necessary, can be eaten without heating: Canned hams and other meats Canned soups Canned pasta, meat and vegetable dishes (e.g. ravioli) Canned fruits Peanut butter, preserves and jellies

DRY/DEHYDRATED FOODS
Dry pasta, beans, dehydrated soups, dehydrated fruits and other dry foods will store indefinitely but will require water, which may be in very short supply.

STAPLES
Crackers, wafers, whole grain cereals and dried breads are excellent and have very long shelf lives.

INFANT FOODS
If you have an infant, don't forget to set aside enough non- refrigerated formula and baby food in jars.

SPECIAL DIETS
Make special provisions for family members who are diabetic or on low- salt or low- cholesterol diets.

PET FOODS
Make special provisions for canned or dry pet food for dogs, cats, birds or other pets.

Be Prepared

It is important for you to be ready, wherever you may be when disaster strikes. With the checklists above you can now put together an appropriate disaster supply kit for your household. But remember the following:

A disaster supply kit should be kept in the home with supplies for at least three days;

Although it is unlikely that food supplies would be cut off for as long as two weeks, consider storing additional water, food, clothing and bedding other supplies to expand your supply kit to last up to two weeks.

Prepare a separate work place disaster supply kit. It is important to store a personal supply of water and food at work; you will not be able to rely on water fountains or coolers. Women who wear high-heels should be sure to have comfortable flat shoes at their workplace in case an evacuation requires walking long distances.

Your car needs a disaster supply kit, too. Keep a smaller disaster supply kit in the trunk of you car. If you become stranded or are not able to return home, having these items will help you be more comfortable until help arrives. Add items for severe winter weather during months when heavy snow or icy roads are possible—salt, sand, shovels, and extra winter clothing, including hats and gloves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't wait an emergency strikes. At that point everyone will be scrambling for supplies.

Please use this LACP.org Disaster Supply Kit Checklist as a shopping list now !